Colts believe Rivers can lead them back to postseason

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-9)

New faces: QB Philip Rivers, DT DeForest Buckner, CB Xavier Rhodes, CB T.J. Carrie, WR Michael Pittman Jr., RB Jonathan Taylor, TE Trey Burton, DT Sheldon Day, CB-KR Isaiah Rodgers, S Tavon Wilson, TE Noah Togiai.

Key losses: DE Jabaal Sheard, K Adam Vinatieri, TE Eric Ebron, S Clayton Geathers, WR Devin Funchess, OL Joe Haeg, WR Chester Rogers, WR Dontrelle Inman, C Josh Andrews.

Strengths: Acquiring Buckner makes a world of difference. He upgrades the run defense, improves the interior pass rush, and gives defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus more flexibility with his rotations and schemes. He’ll also be teaming with DE Justin Houston and OLB Darius Leonard, giving the Colts three defenders with Pro Bowl resumes. The offensive line, led by two-time All-Pro LG Quenton Nelson, has been among the league’s best at protecting quarterbacks the past two seasons, and a top-10 ground game could be even better with the new 1-2 punch of 1,000-yard rusher Marlon Mack and second-round pick Jonathan Taylor.

Weaknesses: Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement last August created a hole at quarterback, and after Jacoby Brissett got a second chance to start, GM Chris Ballard brought in the 38-year-old Rivers. Reich expects Rivers to revert to his pre-2020 form by reducing turnovers. With the exception of Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton, Rivers will be working with a young, promising group of receivers including Pittman Jr., this year’s second-round pick, and Parris Campbell, a former second-rounder who missed most of 2019 with injuries.

Pandemic Development: Reich believes roster composition and the maturity level of the team give the Colts a competitive advantage this season. He used Zoom calls for everything from playbook installation to Rivers’ cadence, something Rivers credited for no false starts on first day of practice. The Colts had three backups opt out.

Fantasy Player To Watch: Campbell. Indy needs someone to emerge as a complement to Hilton, and after playing a small role as a rookie because of injuries, Campbell could thrive if healthy. Reich envisions Campbell helping stretch defenses and getting some carries. Having a year in the system could give him a leg up on Pittman, too.

Vegas Says: Win Super Bowl: 25-1. Over/under wins: 9.

Expectations: Over the past three seasons, Ballard has slowly and steadily built the roster. Now, after missing the playoffs in four of the last five years, the Colts believe Rivers can lead them back to the postseason. Rivers is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, but if he cuts down turnovers and relies on a better offensive line and strong ground game, the defense should hold up its end and the Colts could be one of league’s most improved teams.